‘Scene’ In and Around West Bromwich Bus Station ‘Diamond Bus West Midlands’ on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

A day out train and tram riding in the West Midlands took friend Peter Rose and myself into pastures new when the transport delights of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich were explored.

 

As we have done before, we have combined all the images we gathered on the day. 

 

The credits being joint D.Basford/P.M.Rose.

 

The bus station in West Bromwich is located across the road from a tram stop on the ‘West Midlands Metro’ (Tramway) and is easily accessible from either Birmingham or Wolverhampton.

 

BN23 YSC ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 32261.

Wright Streetlite D/F /1

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

BN23 YSC ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 32261.

Wright Streetlite D/F /2

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

LS68 FOU ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 21213.

Mercedes-Benz 516CDI Mellor Strata

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

LS68 FON ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 21210.

Mercedes-Benz 516CDI Mellor Strata

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

BD20 OCP ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 32318.

Wright Streetlite D/F

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YJ10 EYU ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 20739.

Optare Solo M880 S/L

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘Webberbus’, Bridgewater, Somerset.

 

‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL’, Mansfield 2’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

The PSV Circle (of which I have been a member for some years) aims to hold an Annual General Meeting in a different location in the UK every year. (Covid permitting).

 

Usually held at a weekend, they also include visits to operators and other bus related venues for the attending members to visit and enjoy.

 

This year, the location was in my part of the world, the East Midlands.

 

‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL’ was the provider of our transport for the day and was to be the first visit of the day.

 

The fleet, (all immaculate) were well spaced out so enabling the photographers amongst us easy access all around the vehicles.

 

7842 KR ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’ ‘Kieran’.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New registered DK09 DZF to ‘GHA Coaches’, Corwen, North Wales.

 

It was acquired from ‘Williams’, Brecon,Wales.

 

 

 

 

GX06 DXC ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’ ‘Bethany’.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. Dart SLF/ Plaxton Pointer

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘Stagecoach South’ as No.  34854 but acquired from ’Boomerang Travel’, Accrington, Lancs.

 

In between times it spent some time with ‘Halton Transport’.

 

 

 

 

GXZ 144 ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’ ‘Emily Ann’.

Mercedes-Benz 0816D / Sitcar

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New registered WA09 DZT to ‘London Mini’, Isleworth but it was acquired from ’Ellenvale Coach Co’, Aspatria, Cumbria.

 

 

 

 

YG59 NFN ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’.

Ford Transit

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Acquired from ‘Wormall’, Grantham.

 

 

 

 

3553 FH  ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’.

Mercedes-Benz 516CDI

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Acquired from ‘Exec Connect’, Salisbury.

 

‘Scene’ in Chatsworth Park, Derbyshire 3 Visitors on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

There cannot be many readers / viewers of my blog who are unaware that 2021 marks the 100th. anniversary of the founding of ‘Hulleys of Baslow’.

 

It had been intended to mount a bus rally in Chatsworth nearer to the original anniversary date but this was set back to September 26th. 2021 because of the Covid-19 crisis.

 

The buses I saw on the day split nicely into, 

 

Those owned by ‘Hulleys’, preserved buses and those that were visiting or passing through.

 

I do not claim that those pictured were the only buses on display because there were others that were out visiting elsewhere that I would have missed.

 

SL64 JCU ‘Stagecoach Manchester’ No. 10428 ‘ PROUD TO SERVE MANCHESTER FOR 25 YEARS’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 400MMC

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

An unusual livery.

 

 

 

 

 YN06 JYK ‘TM Travel’ No. 11. Scania N94UD / East Lancs Omnidekka

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured working between Sheffield and Bakewell.

 

New to ‘Metrobus’ as No. 925.

 

Wearing ‘TM Travel’ titles on a ‘notts+derby’ paint scheme.

 

Both companies being part of the ‘Wellglade’ group.

 

 

 

 

YN06 JYO  ‘TM Travel’ No. 1175. Scania N94UD / East Lancs Omnidekka

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured working between Sheffield and Bakewell.

 

New to ‘Metrobus’ as No. 927.

 

 

 

 

M444 BUS ‘Maxfields Travel’, Sheffield. Auwater Neoplan Euroliner N 313 SHD

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New registered YR02 UMK to ‘Pagan’ of Hounslow.

 

The badging N 316 SHD on the coach is incorrect.

 

 

 

 

WX69 PMU ‘IGO TRAVEL’. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

BK13 XYJ ‘Bakers Dolphin’. Merceded Benz Tourismo

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Scene’ Coaching across North Wales part 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I am a regular visitor to North Wales and I never cease to be impressed by the quality and variety  of the coaching stock on view.

 

AT17 TTN ‘Attain Travel’ No. E1, Birmingham. Scania K410EB4 / Scania

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YR16 BNN ‘Omega’, Milton Keynes, Scania K410EB6 / Higer Touring

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

TJI 1677 ‘Grayscroft’, Mablethorpe. Van Hool Acron

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

TJI 1677 ‘Grayscroft’ , Mablethorpe. Van Hool Acron Dedication

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

I thought this to be a perfectly ordinary coach with an equally ordinary livery.

 

What made it special to me was the dedication on the side panelling. 

 

Anyone who supports the RAF gets my vote !

 

 

 

BC16 HJB ‘Blakes Coaches’, East Anstey, North Devon. Scania K410EB/6 / Irizar i6

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

PN12 CTU ‘Martins Travel’, Braunton, Devon. Mecedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDi

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

There seems to be a growing number of mini coach operators offering bespoke holidays. I dont’ know how the economics stack up but power to ther elbow, they bring a bit of variety to the scene.

 

‘Scene’ in Reading 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

The town of Reading lies 40 miles to the West of London and in bus terms it is one of the most progressive places in the country. 

 

It has a superb modern railway station that is the destination for virtually all the buses that operate within the town.

 

‘Reading buses’ and the service they provide would grace any city.

 

For an earlier blog illustrating double deckers in the town see blog published 11/01/2019.

 

For previous blogs illustrating gas powered buses in the town see blogs published 30/04/2016 and 03/02/2018.

 

 

When ‘First Berkshire’ gave up operating its service 702 which runs from London and Windsor to Legoland on the 23rd. of December 2017, ‘Readingbuses’ decided to operate the route themselves.

 

Several vehicles were hired in to run the service one of which is a tri-axle Scania OmniLink coming from ‘Stagecoach North Scotland’ with whom it was No. 24004.

 

SP57 CNK ‘Readingbuses’ No. 10 ‘greenline’. Scania Omnilink K170UB6 /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

SP57 CNK ‘Readingbuses’ No. 10 ‘greenline’. Scania Omnilink K170UB6 /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

SM65 LMF ‘Carousel Buses’ No. 404 ‘X80 Regatta’. Wright Streetlte D/F

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

‘Carousel Buses’ are part of the ‘Oxford Bus’ Group which in turn is part of the ‘Go-Ahead’ group.

 

 

 

TF56 OXF ‘Thames Travel No. 855. Mercedes-Benz Citaro

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

‘Thames Travel’ are part of the ‘Oxford Bus’ Group which in turn is part of the ‘Go-Ahead’ group.

 

 

 

YX63 LGV ‘Readingbuses No. 132 ‘nineteens’. ‘ADL’ E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

LO67 CFK ‘Readingbuses’ No. 382 ‘BUZZ’. Mercedes-Benz MB516CDI / Mellor

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Reading is another operator that has joined the trend for operating mini-buses.

 

Mini buses have been tried before in big bus fleets. The problem is that they tend to attract so many passengers that bigger buses have to be substituted.

 

Still, an interesting developement and only time will tell wether they are a success or not.

 

 

 

 

SO12 WJC ‘Horseman of Royal Berkshire’. Volvo B9R / Plaxton Elite

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

What a lovely fleetname.

 

New as LSK 509 to ‘Parks of Hamilton’.

 

 

YN62 GYR ‘First  Berkshire’ No. 20808, ‘Reading-Heathrow railair’. Volvo B9R/ Plaxton Panther

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New to ‘First Beeline’.

 

 

 

 

DK57 JJV ‘ReadiBus’ No.29. Mercedes-Benz 513

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Scene’ in Llandudno 1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

When I first visited Llandudno in the 1960’s, the local bus services were in the hands of ‘Llandudno Urban District Council’.

 

They operated a fleet of Guys and Commers on trips round the town and around the Great Orme.

 

The buses were always beautifully presented and several have made it into  preservation.

 

JC 4557 ‘Llandudno Urban District Council’. Commer PN3 / Waveney /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New in 1937 which means that it 80 years old and seen at Showbus 2014. 

 

Note the roof which is removable in the better weather.

 

 

 

JC 4557 ‘Llandudno Urban District Council’. Commer PN3 / Waveney /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Seen at Showbus 2017.

 

 

 

Now fast forward 50 years and it is no surprise to see that trips round the town and around the Great Orme are still operating.

 

These days they are in the hands of local operator ‘Alpine Travel’.

 

The ‘hardware’ has moved on since the 1960’s and today we are treated to this magnificent vehicle which again has a convertible open top roof. 

 

This one instead of having to be removed can be slid back in sections.

 

 

LR16 XZK ‘Alpine Travel’. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDi / EVM Cabrio /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

LR16 XZK ‘Alpine Travel’. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDi / EVM Cabrio /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

LR16 XZK ‘Alpine Travel’. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDi / EVM Cabrio /3

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Scene’ with ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ (EYMS). EYC registrations. on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

At the time of publication of this blog, it has just been announced that ‘EYMS’ is to become a part of the ‘Go-Ahead’ group. 

 

I am sorry to see them go as an independent operator but I am sure from having observed all the major groups for many years that this is a good decision.

 

I wish all at ‘East Yorkshire’ well for the future.

 

I have been a follower of ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ for many years and I have always believed that the ‘EYC’ registrations indicated vehicles working for the ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’ unit. 

 

Normally painted in cream and light blue there is at least one bus that does not quite fit in !!! (see below).

 

Most of these images were taken at ‘EYMS’ depot on Anlaby Road in Hull on a PSV Circle organised visit.

 

A7 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 21 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Mercedes-Benz 516CDi / Optare Soroco

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New registered LK64 ATZ.

 

 

 

 

A9 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 72 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New in 2007.

 

Seen at Plaxton’s works at Eastfield in Scarborough.

 

 

 

 

A9 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 72 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New in 2007.

 

Seen at Plaxton’s works at Eastfield in Scarborough.

 

 

 

 

A10 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 92. Volvo B9R / Caetano Levante

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New as FJ11 GJZ, No. 86 to ‘Whittles Coaches’ who were at that time part of the ‘EYMS’ group.

 

 

 

 

A16 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 200 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B7TL / Alexander ALX 400

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New as SK52 URW to ‘London United’ as its No. VA 300.

 

 

 

A17 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 779. Dennis Trident 2 / Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 400 

on ‘Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

New as SN61 DFK to ‘ADL’ as a demonstrator.

 

This is the bus mentioned earlier that doesn’t seem to fit however it is fitted with coach seats and other ‘luxury’ fitments so maybe it does. 

 

A pity it’s not in the coaching livery though, it would look magnificent !

 

 

 

 

A18 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 721 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B9TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Formerly YX07 HKH with ‘EYMS’.

 

 

 

 

A20 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 20 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Mercedes-Benz 816D / Plaxton Cheetah 2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘EYMS’ as YX59 FSD.

 

 

 

EYC 73 ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 77 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B9R / Plaxton Elite

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

New to ‘EYMS’ as YX62 FLL.

 

 

 

80 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 645. Bristol FS6G Lodekka / Eastern Coach Works

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New in 1961 as a convertible open topper registration 866 NHT to ‘Bristol Omnibus’ as its No. 8576.

 

Also previously registered as XSL 228A with ‘Wilts & Dorset’ amongst others.

 

Bought by ‘EYMS’ in July 2014.